All Thingz Related

WINNER of the Shabby Apple Dress!

2011-12-21T23:33:00.001-06:00

The winner is:

Alexandra of Crafting With My Cub! Congratulations! I sent you an email!

Thanks to everyone who entered! You can still save 10% at Shabby Apple by entering allthingz10off at checkout!

*I used random.org to pick the winner.

A Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!

2011-12-16T09:02:00.001-06:00

**This giveaway is now closed**

Shabby Apple has a great selection of women’s dresses for any occasion!

Wouldn’t the Mulholland dress from the Tinsel Town Collection be fantastic for a New Year’s Eve party?!

Well guess what? One of you will win it!

Here’s what you need to do to enter to win!

FIRST: Head over to the Shabby Apple Facebook page and “like” them. Leave me a comment saying you did so.

Optional: Tell me what you would do with this lovely dress. Wear it to a party? A dance? Maybe your daughter or sister would look dashing in it! Leave me a comment.

Optional: Spread the word about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, twitter…Come back and tell me you did so for 1 more entry!

You can also save 10% at Shabby Apple by entering the code allthingz10off at checkout!

Hurry and get your entries in! This giveaway will end on Wednesday, December 21!

~Rebekah

A Little Update!

2011-12-15T20:41:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone! I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving! Mine was great! I can’t believe how fast Christmas arrives! I’m not quite ready! Are you?!

So here’s what we know about my son’s back condition: Not much. We have made several trips to Louisville for tests and checkups. He’s on a few medicines that aren’t really helping at all. The Neurologist seems to think it is what they call a “tethered cord” however there is nothing showing up on the MRI. He wants to do surgery. I’m hesitant. This is my 8 year-old child! We’ve been taking him to the chiropractor, who seems to think he can help. We will just have to wait and see. Have I ever mentioned how impatient I am….?

I want to let you all in on a little secret. I’m having a Shabby Apple Dress giveaway in the morning! Be sure to check back and enter for your chance to win!!

~Rebekah

You’re Probably Wondering What’s Going On

2011-10-18T10:11:00.001-05:00

All Thingz Related came about nearly 2 years ago when my best friend/sister-in-law and I started it together. Since we lived 600 miles apart, it was a great connection for us.

Then, a little over a year ago, we suddenly weren’t sister-in-laws anymore. Because she had no choice but to get a full-time job, she was unable to blog anymore.

I’ve been trying to keep things going on my own, ever since, but I’m doing a horrible job. I just don’t have the passion for it anymore. Not to mention, we’ve been traveling back and forth to the neurologist in Louisville for my little boy’s back, trying to figure out why it’s hurting him. I’ve just got to let some things go. With that said, I will not be hosting Anything Related anymore. Disappointing, I know, but there are plenty of amazing and fun parties out there and you will not have any problems finding them .

I won’t be completely gone! I’ll still be around some. I have a few projects going that I’ll be sharing with you. I’ll still be hopping around and visiting everyone on your own blogs! You can also still find me on:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

A very special thanks goes out to all of you for visiting each week and especially to the ones who are so consistent on leaving me fantastic comments! I’ve made some really great friends and I appreciate all of you!

Rebekah

Winner of UPrinting Labels!

2011-09-30T20:46:00.001-05:00

The winner is comment #7:

Yay! I’m emailing you now! Congrats!

UPrinting Label Giveaway!

2011-09-26T09:27:00.001-05:00

Who would like to win some fantastic Labels from UPrinting?!

UPrinting.com is one of the versatile online Printing Companies who can customize according to your needs and offer Custom Labels!

Prize Details!
~250 Labels for One (1) Winner
~2" x 3.5"
~70lb Label Matte, Front Only Printing, 4 Business Days Turnaround * Free Shipping
*Restriction: Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only. If you have won a UPrinting prize within the last 6 months, you will not be eligible to win.

*Giveaway will end on Sept. 30th at 8:00 a.m. central time.

Here’s how YOU can win!

(please make sure you are a follower of All Thingz Related)

FIRST ENTRY:: Leave a comment telling me something you would use these labels for! Packages? Presents? Homemade goodies?! (1 entry)

2ND ENTRY:: Follow UPrinting on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave me ONE comment. (1 entry)

Good luck and happy labeling!

Rebekah

*This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive labels for hosting.

Anything Related #62!

2011-09-19T21:23:00.001-05:00

It’s that time again!

As always….

1. Please become a follower of ATR, if you aren’t already

2. Please Notice that there are two sections: one JUST FOR RECIPES and the other for crafts, sewing, diy, etc….

3. Please grab a button or add a link back to All Thingz Related.

4. Hop around and visit each other! Get inspired!

Thanks and happy linking!

Rebekah

*Contact me if you’d like to sponsor Anything Related!

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Anything Related No. 61!

2011-09-13T08:58:00.001-05:00

Well, folks, I’ve got nothin’ for ya this week. I have about a billion things started and NOTHING finished! And one project was a flop. Don’t ya hate it when that happens?

I DO want to give a shout-out to my lovely daughter, Elana, who was 1 of 3 Marshall County (Benton, KY) students, chosen to represent the Marshall County Public Library!

This is the poster, posted all over the county!

(she’s the one in blue and black)

I’m so proud of my little bookworm!

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I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU WHO ALWAYS LEAVE ME SUCH NICE COMMENTS ON ANYTHING RELATED! IT’S SO NICE OF YOU AND MEANS A LOT TO ME!!

1. Please become a follower of ATR, if you aren’t already

2. Please Notice that there are two sections: one JUST FOR RECIPES and the other for crafts, sewing, diy, etc….

3. Please grab a button or add a link back to All Thingz Related.

4. Hop around and visit each other! Get inspired!

Thanks and happy linking!

Rebekah

*Contact me if you’d like to sponsor Anything Related!

Anything Related #60!

2011-09-05T22:04:00.001-05:00

Hi Friends!

I hope everyone had a great long weekend! We enjoyed some time with family from North Carolina! It was a great visit!

1. Please become a follower of ATR, if you aren’t already

2. Please Notice that there are two sections: one JUST FOR RECIPES and the other for crafts, sewing, diy, etc….

3. Please grab a button or add a link back to All Thingz Related.

4. Hop around and visit each other! Get inspired!

Thanks and happy linking!

Rebekah

*Contact me if you’d like to sponsor Anything Related!

Anything Related #59!

2011-08-29T20:40:00.001-05:00

1. Please become a follower of ATR, if you aren’t already

2. Please Notice that there are two sections: one JUST FOR RECIPES and the other for crafts, sewing, diy, etc….

3. Please grab a button or add a link back to All Thingz Related.

4. Hop around and visit each other! Get inspired!

Thanks and happy linking!

Rebekah

*If you are interested in sponsoring Anything Related, please contact me and we’ll discuss the details!

Anything Related #58

2011-08-22T20:34:00.001-05:00

Time for Anything Related!

1. Please become a follower if you aren’t already

2. Please Notice that there are two sections: one JUST FOR RECIPES and the other for crafts, sewing, diy, etc….

3. Please grab a button or add a link back to All Thingz Related.

4. Hop around and visit each other! Get inspired!

Thanks and happy linking!

Rebekah

{Cook}

{Create}

Billboard-Worthy Wednesday!

2011-08-17T14:24:00.001-05:00

First, let me remind you to enter the UPrinting Letterhead giveaway! You could design your new letterhead to be used as family newsletters at Christmastime! Or how about a gift for that favorite teacher, pastor or friend?! Go on and enter!

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Here are some great projects from yesterday’s Anything Related!

Sewing Nook {The 36th Avenue}

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Anthro-inspired Bracelet {Flamingo Toes}

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Whiteboard Command Station {Lolly Jane}

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Side Table Makeover {Midwestern Sewing Girl}

Side table Makeover {How to Nest for Less}

Baby Shower Invites {Jessa Jill}

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Free Printable {Tattered & Inked}

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Count Your Blessings {Lil’ Luna}

Café Sign {Diary of a Crafty Lady}

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Scrabble Nameplate {Something Created Everyday}

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Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions {Chameleon Girls}

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Chicken Tortilla Casserole {Crafty Zoo}

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Pasta Salad {A Little Bit of Everything}

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Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies {Girl Behind the Curtain}

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Somoa Brownies {Mushki Loves}

Happy Wednesday!

Rebekah

Anything Related #57

2011-08-15T22:31:00.001-05:00

*Did you enter the UPrinting Letterhead Giveaway?!*

It’s that time again! Time to show off your projects and recipes for the week!

*Last week I started something new called “Billboard-Worthy Wednesday”! If you haven’t seen it, go check it out…you may have been featured!*

1. Please become a follower if you aren’t already

2. Please Notice that there are two sections: one JUST FOR RECIPES and the other for crafts, sewing, diy, etc….

3. Please grab a button or add a link back to All Thingz Related.

Thanks and happy linking!

Rebekah

Today is My Birthday and a UPrinting Giveaway!

2011-08-14T17:58:00.001-05:00

Today is my 31st birthday. I have no idea where the time went. I’ve always heard that the older you get, the faster time goes by. Believe what they say because it’s definitely the truth!

Well, I have a great giveaway for you from UPrinting.com!

UPrinting offers letterhead printing with over 50 letterhead design samples to inspire you! They also offer wedding envelopes for your big event!

Prize Details:

500 pcs. Letterheads for One (1) winner!

5.5” x 8.5"

70lb Offset

Front Only Printing

4 Business Days Print Turnaround Time

*Free Shipping

Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only

Sorry, previous UPrinting Letterhead winners (within the past 6 months) are not eligible to win.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY IS LEAVE ME A COMMENT!!

This giveaway will end on August 18th at 11:59 p.m. central time and I will announce the winner on August 19th.

Good luck and happy printing!

Rebekah

This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive letterhead printing service by hosting. Letterhead design inspiration and wedding envelopes is also available. Please visit UPrinting.com for more details.

Faux-Leather Topped Desk {Step 2}

2011-08-12T14:43:00.001-05:00

You can see step 1 here but I’ll give you a quick recap.

{Step 1}

I tore up pieces of contractor’s paper…

and adhered it to my desk top using wallpaper paste…

I let it dry and it looked like this…

{Step 2}

I wiped on a dark stain…

2 coats actually, and now it looks like this…

All I need to do now is coat it with a sealer but I didn’t have any so I’ll have to do that this weekend.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out! I keep walking past the room just so I can look at it! I really wish you could see it in person! It’s such a easy way to spruce up an old desk!

This is only a small part of my laundry room makeover. I’ll be so glad when it’s ALL done.

Enjoy your weekend!

Rebekah

*edited to add these link parties…

Faux-Leather Topped Desk {Step 1}

2011-08-11T12:44:00.001-05:00

When we remodeled our kitchen, instead of throwing out the old cabinets, we installed a few of them in the laundry room so I would have a sewing desk. Since we didn’t have a counter top for it, my husband cut down an old door for the top.

It has looked this way for 2 years…

Until I could stand no more of it’s ugliness.

I was trying to decide what kind of treatment to do to the top. Several years ago, we covered our walls in pieces of torn brown paper and love the look of it. It reminds me of leather. I wondered if I could do the same process on my desktop.

I gathered my supplies and got to work.

What I used for Step 1:

Brown contractor’s paper on a roll (found at Lowe’s in or near the paint section for about $8-$10 but it’s a HUGE roll and will last forever. It’s very heavy weight paper)
Wallcovering Adhesive (this brand came from Wal-Mart)
gloves (protect your fingers!)
sponge brush
wet rag (to clean up any spilled paste)

Tear up the paper.

I tore up piles of the brown paper. I reserved the straight-edged pieces for around the sides and front of the desk. All the center pieces were torn all the way around.

Get to gluing.

Using the foam brush, I dipped it in the wall paste and spread a layer directly on the desk.

Then I took my first piece of paper and brushed the paste on the back. I adhered the paper to the desk then spread on another layer of paste over the paper.

I had some bubbling and wrinkling going on so I did a patch then stopped to let it dry completely to see what it would do. After it dried, the bubbles and wrinkles were gone! I was thrilled! I just had to make sure my edges were sealed by pressing them down with my hands.

More gluing.

I continued gluing down the rest of my paper pieces, overlapping all of them. I even wrapped them around and under the sides of my desk.

This paste is extremely easy to use! It really isn’t that sticky at all, yet dries super strong! (note: this is NOT a sealer like Mod Podge.)

Here’s what it looks like now, completely done and dried!

I’m so pleased with the results!

But I’m not done yet! I have 2 more steps.

Stain it, to bring out the details.
Seal it, to ensure long-lasting durability.

I can’t wait to try this wall paste on other papers! I have a ton of it left!

I’m off to stain…results tomorrow!

Rebekah

Billboard-Worthy Wednesday: Projects from Anything Related!

2011-08-10T20:33:00.001-05:00

Welcome to something new I’m trying called Billboard-Worthy Wednesday, where I look over your great projects from Anything Related Tuesday and highlight my favs! Here we go!

Source: Owl Silhouette Art via Til Death Do Us Part (LOVE)

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Source: Button Bracelets via Creative Passage (gonna make one of these!)

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Source: Subway Art via Crafting with My Cub (love subway art)

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Source: Sand Beads via Red Ted Art (yes, sand!)

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Source: Succulent Holder via The Scrap Shoppe (so smart!)

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Source: Cool Tie Tutorial via Sew Woodsy (these are so neat!)

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Source: Twine Bowl via Homework (how simple!)

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Source: Chalk-lift via Dumped and Discovered (from an old dresser mirror!)

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Source: Pom-Pom Necklace via My Li’l Pumpkin Patch (I love the red!)

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Source: Card Catalog Before and After via The Frosted Gardner (gorgeous!)

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Source: Sea Turtle Cakes via Snips and Spice (GAH! So CUTE!)

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Source: Cheese Sticks via Jam Hands (I want these PRONTO!)

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Source: Homemade Cherry Pie Filling via Dishes and Socks (I have got to try this!)

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Source: Mexican Taco Pasta Shells via How to Nest for Less (oh my yumminess!)

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Source: Mochaccino Cupcakes via Lady Behind the Curtain (I’ll take two!)

Thank you to everyone who joined me for Anything Related!

Rebekah

Anything Related #56 and I Changed My Mind…

2011-08-08T22:09:00.001-05:00

I was going to put a hold on Anything Related for the month of August, just a wee break, but then I changed my mind! I miss looking at your projects and plus, I could use the inspiration right now!

I am working on something that involves wallpaper paste and stain (curious?) that I hope to have finished within the next day or so!

Oh and one more thing! I’m extending the E-MEALZ giveaway through Wednesday night due to LOW entries! Go here to enter!!!

E-Mealz GIVEAWAY!!

2011-08-02T18:16:00.001-05:00

Now Closed- the winner is TANCY! Congratulations!

Do you struggle each week with planning your family’s meals? Are you trying to stay within a budget? Would you like some help with that?!

is a program designed to help YOU plan your meals, each week, around grocery store sales, seasonal specials and diet preferences!

makes it as easy as 1 2 3!

{1} CHOOSE A PLAN!

REGULAR FAMILY MEAL PLANS (SERVES 7 MEALS FOR 4-6 PEOPLE)
REGULAR MEAL PLANS FOR TWO (SERVES 5 MEALS FOR 1-2 PEOPLE)
SPECIALTY FAMILY MEAL PLANS (SERVES 7 MEALS FOR 4-6 PEOPLE)
SPECIALTY MEAL PLANS FOR TWO (SERVES 5 MEALS FOR 1-2 PEOPLE)

{2} PRINT & GO SHOPPING

I chose the Regular Family Meal Plan for Kroger (click here for the sample plan)! All I had to do was print it!

I LOVE that does all the hard work for you! They have your grocery list all planned out and even tell you what it will cost!

How fantastic is that?!

{3} COOK & ENJOY

For only $1.25 a week!

You know what’s even better than that?!

One of my followers will win a 3 Month Subscription to E-MEALZ, winner’s choice of meal plan!!

REQUIRED ENTRY:

*Visit E-Mealz then come back here and tell me which plan you would choose!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

{1} Visit the E-Mealz blog, Make Time for Family, and follow along by entering your email. Come back here and tell me you did so.

{2} “Like” All Thingz Related on Facebook

{3} “Like” E-MEALZ on Facebook

Woohoo! That’s 4 entries!!! Good luck and happy cooking!

This giveaway will end on August 6, 2011 at 11:00 p.m. central time.

Rebekah

The post is sponsored. The opinions are mine.

2011-08-02T14:36:00.000-05:00

Anything Related will resume in September (details coming soon). In the meantime, stay tuned for a great giveaway! Coming up next!!!

Anything Related No. 55

2011-07-26T10:37:00.001-05:00

Good morning!!

Last week the family and I were on vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas!

We had a great time, despite the heat!

(This was at the Alligator park. They had over 150 alligators!)

(one of the historic hotels in town)

(the science museum)

(I can never get all 3 to cooperate for pictures!)

If you decide to go, I recommend you plan your trip for spring or fall. It will be much more pleasurable!

{Hand-Stamped Charms}

2011-07-15T19:03:00.001-05:00

I wanted to make something special for my neices who live in Oklahoma. We only get to see them about once a year (makes me sad) and they will be here in a few weeks!

I love hand-stamped pieces but I didn’t have any metal to stamp. I DID have clay though!

I rolled and flattened small clumps of clay…(FYI, please do this on wax paper and NOT on your kitchen table like below!)

and stamped each one with a scrapbook stamp that I have!

A couple of them I used my metal stamps that I bought at Harbor Freight.

I also made little holes for the jump rings using a toothpick.

I baked them according to the clay instructions. It took about 30 minutes.

When they completely cooled, I painted them gray (I didn’t have gray paint so I just mixed my own).

Then I painted a coat of metallic silver over the gray.

To make the words pop, I brushed on a layer of black paint then quickly wiped it off with a damp rag.

I sealed each one with satin varnish then they were good to go!

They were so simple to make and I hope the girls love them! I think this would be a great project for a slumber party!

I even made me one with mine and my husband’s initials plus our wedding year!

Rebekah

I Need Vacation Help!

2011-07-13T10:14:00.001-05:00

Good morning! I am so excited to be going on vacation in 3 days! It is MUCH NEEDED! We will be vacationing with the hubby’s family in Hot Springs, Arkansas! I’ve only been through there once, on our way home from Oklahoma, and it was in the dead of winter!

Are any of you from that area?

Ever visited Hot Springs?

Is there anything that we just HAVE to do?!

I also need ideas and tips on a few other things:

I want to make Child Id Cards/kits for my kids but don’t know where to look. I want to be able to print them from home.
They need fun things to do in the car…it’s a 6 hour trip, after all! (I have a 10 yr old, 8 yr old and a 3 yr old!)
I would also like to make them id bracelets/necklaces. Any ideas?

Any suggestions and tips are welcome!!

Thanks guys!!

Rebekah

Anything Related No. 54!

2011-07-11T21:57:00.001-05:00

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

FREE* 8x10 Canvas at The Canvas People!

2011-06-29T13:13:00.001-05:00

What a terrific summer deal! Have your favorite photo turned into an 8x10 canvas for FREE! All you have to pay is shipping and handling! Or if you want a larger size, you can choose $50 off! 50 BUCKS! Whoa! With summer here, I’m sure you have taken lots of pictures! I’m looking through my photos right now to pick the perfect one!

And, hey, if you purchase one, I’d love to see it!! Drop me an email!

Rebekah

Anything Related No.53!

2011-06-28T00:04:00.001-05:00

Thanks for bearing with me last week! VBS was a big success and the kids had a terrific time (and I was exhausted!). But I’m back and would love to see what you guys have been up to this week! I’ve been busy painting rooms, rearranging furniture and tossing JUNK! I hope to post updates this week!

(grab the button code HERE)

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio

My Shabby Apple Dress Review!!

2011-06-27T22:18:00.001-05:00

I was offered a Shabby Apple Dress in exchange for my review! I had such a hard time choosing one! They offer such a wide range of beautiful dresses, from little girls dresses to women’s dresses and maternity dresses, too!

I love the turquoise Ahoy! dress.

and take a look at this blue Cortez dress! So adorable!

Oh and what about this stylish black and white Frida K. dress? So great, right?!

But I knew when I saw the gray Da Vinci dress that it was perfect for me!

Seriously, ladies, this is the most comfortable dress I’ve ever put on my body! The fabric is unbelievably soft!!

Warning: I’m a terrible model!

I’m a shorty…

I’m awkward…

and the wind was blowing in my face!!

I added a belt for fun just for fun!

I LOVE the kangaroo pockets!

I love this dress!!

All Thingz Related followers will receive 10% off your Shabby Apple order by using coupon code allthingzrelated10off !!! I highly recommend the Da Vinci!

Shabby Apple is on Facebook! Be sure to “like” them to get in on special promotions and discounts!!!

All opinions are 100% my own.

I HAVE to include this next picture…

There is a silly dog that hangs out at our house. She walks up to us and immediately flips over to her back, legs up! She interrupted my “photo shoot” for a rub on the tummy! We just had to laugh!!

Rebekah

Will Return Next Week

2011-06-20T22:09:00.001-05:00

Anything Related will be back next week when things settle down a bit! I’m in the middle of VBS at church and I’ve been busy, busy! Thanks for understanding!! See ya next week!

Rebekah

Anything Related #52

2011-06-13T23:12:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone is having a terrific summer break with the kiddos! Mine are bored…already. And fighting... *sigh*

{Reminder~ You can still save 15% off of your Chunky Bling order by using coupon code REBEK784}

Amy at H is for Handmade shows you how to make a Hand Towel Apron with a Zipper! How smart is that?! Love it!

Get the recipe for these delicious looking BBQ Chicken Wraps over at Sweet Little Smoothie! Yum, yum!

Okay, let’s see what you’ve been up to this week!

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

Anything Related #51

2011-06-06T22:30:00.001-05:00

Hi all! Don’t forget to enter my Chunky Bling Giveaway! So far, there are only 3 entries! THREE! Help me out here!

Suesan from frou-fruGal made a purse from her nephew’s Army uniform (he passed away). It really is a touching story and worth you hopping over to check it out. She did an amazing job.

These Graduation Marshmallow Pops are perfect over at Cute As A Fox!

Anything Related is sponsored by:

A Chunky Bling Review and GIVEAWAY!

2011-06-06T08:59:00.001-05:00

Have you heard of Chunky Bling? No? Well you are in for a treat! They are known for their watches, rings and chunky jewelry!

They offer Beaded Watches:

Bead Bracelets:

Charm Cluster Necklaces:

And of course, Swarovski Rings!

I chose the Swarovski Mystic Black Pearl Ring!

Look how pretty it is!

My ring size is a 6 so I ordered size 5-6. It’s made with a stretchy band and fits perfectly!

Chunky Bling is giving you 15% OFF any jewelry on their website! Use coupon code REBEK784 (This coupon is good through June 19, 2011)

You can even host your own online jewelry party and earn lots of free bling!

Chunky Bling wants to give one of you a Swarovski Ring of your choice, any color and style!!

To enter this giveaway:

{MANDATORY ENTRY}

Visit Chunky Bling’s Build Your Own Watch page and pick your favorite watch band and face combination then come back here and tell me what it is! (1 entry)

EXTRA ENTRY:

Follow Chunky Bling on Facebook (1 entry)

Make sure that you are a follower of All Thingz Related and have some way for me to contact you if you win!

This giveaway begins on June 6, 2011 and will end on June 12, 2011. Only US and Canadian residents are eligible to participate in this giveaway.

Anything Related #50 (I forgot)

2011-05-31T14:56:00.001-05:00

Yes, Tuesday slipped up on me and I completely forgot to post Anything Related. Now that my husband’s new off days from work are on Mondays and Tuesdays, I’m all messed up.

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If you are on Pinterest and would like to follow my boards, you can find me here!

If you are not on Pinterest and would like an invite, it looks like it’s allowing me to invite 6 people by email. The first 6 of you who let me know in the comments that you are interested, I’ll send you an invite by email. Make sure your email address is linked to your profile!

(get the button code here)

Anything Related is sponsored by:

{My Love For Binders} and Link Up Your Own!

2011-05-25T13:30:00.001-05:00

I’m growing quite fond of them. Especially since I’ve been trying to get organized over the past few ~~years~~ months.

So as I sit here and anxiously wait for UPS to deliver my Shaklee package, I decided to tackle my pile of magazines that I’ve been ~~hoarding~~ holding on to. I keep them because they have good ideas in them or great recipes I want to try. But then, they get shoved in a pile, end up under the couch and I forget about them.

This is ridiculous and it’s not even half of the stash! (I might have a problem) So I am going through each and every magazine, tearing out what I want to keep and I’m going to put them in this ~~enormous~~ binder that my husband brought home from work (and looked at him like he was crazy when he walked in the door with it, wondering what in the world I would ever use such a huge binder for!).

As I’m tearing out the pages, I’m writing a list of each section I will need.

I am cutting file folders on the crease to use as dividers.

*I also punched holes in the dividers but I’m a ding-a-ling and didn’t take a picture of this step*

So far, it’s working perfectly!

Only 1,247 more pages to punch and file! It’s gonna be great! And I’m gonna need a bigger binder…

What do YOU keep in binders? Do you have some great binder tips? I’d love to see them! Share your posts below!

Anything Related #49!

2011-05-23T21:46:00.001-05:00

My kids have 4 days left of school until summer break! 4 DAYS! Where in the world did the time go??!! Geez, it’s gonna be a long summer! I sure hope you all have some great summer projects for kids because we are going to need them!!

You need to know about this fantastic Canvas People deal! Especially with graduations coming up and Father’s Day, right around the corner!

You can order a FREE 8x10 Canvas of your favorite photo, just pay shipping! I love FREE! The hard part will be choosing which photo to use for your free canvas!

~~~

(you can grab the code here)

Anything Related is sponsored by:

and

{Giveaway} FRESCHETTA Simply... Inspired Pizza and Bamboo Cutting Board!

2011-05-13T15:45:00.001-05:00

This post brought to you by FRESCHETTA®. All opinions are 100% mine.

FRESCHETTA has provided me with a coupon for a FREE FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ coupon AND a bamboo cutting board to give away to one of my followers! Pretty awesome, huh?!

I haven't had the chance to try the FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ pizzas yet but my family and I LOVE the original FRESCHETTA pizzas so I can only imagine how delicious they will be!

Just look at all our choices!

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Chicken Bianco

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Hawaiian Style

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Harvest Supreme

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Farmers Market Veggie

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Southern BBQ Recipe Chicken

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Tuscan Farmhouse

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Rustic Pepperoni Pomodora

FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Classic Bruschetta

I think I want to try the FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Tuscan Farmhouse Pizza first but they all look delicious!

You know what else is great about FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ pizzas? Their FRECSH-TASTE SEAL packages seal in their vibrant flavors while using 30% less packaging!

Would you like the chance to win a FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™Pizza coupon and a bamboo cutting board?! Of course you do!

1. Leave me a comment letting me know which one YOU want to try first and you'll be entered! Make sure I have a way to contact you!

2. For one extra entry, "like" Freschetta Simply Inspired on Facebook or on Twitter!

Good luck and enjoy!

My New Mailbox! {Silhouette Project}

2011-05-11T09:48:00.001-05:00

I am so happy about my new mailbox! It is seriously the highlight of my week! We have been fighting a cheap plastic one for YEARS! So I went to Lowe’s and picked out a new one.

I created the design I liked in my Silhouette Studio, starting with the monogram:

Font: Georgia

I liked this flourish but not the raindrop looking things.

So I divided the shapes….

…and deleted what I didn’t like.

I wanted it facing a different direction so I chose “mirror below”

Then I minimized the shape and chose “mirror right”…

I cut out my shapes from white premium vinyl (premium vinyl is resilient enough to withstand the sun and weather) and adhered it to my new mailbox!

I LOVE it!! It makes me really happy to look at it. Plus, it’s the best looking mailbox in the area!

We put the same monogram on the front…

What do you think?

Anything Related #48 and Picks of the Week

2011-05-09T22:16:00.001-05:00

Boy did I have a busy week! With a church picnic, a birthday party, my brother visiting from Louisville and of course, Mother’s Day, I didn’t have time to accomplish ANYTHING! I feel like such a failure.

I AM working on a Silhouette project that I hope to show you tomorrow!

Charity @All Things Beautiful, painted Frank and Bing…I’m not kidding. Wow. Speechless. She makes it look so easy! (she says it is easy but I’m certain I would unintentionally make it hard)

These Homemade Twix Bars look amazing! from Tammy @Peppermint Plum

YUM.

(grab the button code here)

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

Anything Related #47 and I’m Sick of the Rain

2011-05-03T08:35:00.001-05:00

We had a 2-days break from the rain last week. It was such a relief. Everyone was able to get outside, mow their yards and clean up after the storms. And then, Saturday night, it began all over again and hasn’t stopped. One neighboring county has evacuated….the WHOLE county! Below is a picture of a friend’s house in Possum Trot (yes, there really is a place called Possum Trot. I grew up there.)

As you can see, they built a wall out of sandbags, but it just wasn’t enough. She said the water is 3 feet high in the living room.

Animals are being washed out of their dens.

Poor deer!

I realize that it could be worse. As far as I know, no one as died in this flood (thank God). But it is still really, really bad. Our well is covered in water and has been contaminated. We’ve had to go out and buy bottles of water to drink and cook with.

Everything that has been going on has really made me stop and think. Maybe we should have a food storage. Do you have food storage supply? It is almost unheard of in Kentucky. That’s why I know nothing about it. Are there any good websites you can direct me to about it? I found Fun With Food Storage. It looks like a great site and is jammed packed full of info. I’m just overwhelmed by it all.

ANYWAY….

Let’s change the mood! What have you been up to this week?! Show me!

(grab the button code here)

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

State of Emergency: Flood 2011

2011-04-27T09:19:00.001-05:00

From what I’ve heard, this is one of the worst floods since the Flood of 1937.

That is when the City of Paducah built the flood walls.

(image from theporch.net)

Murals have been professionally painted on the wall, outlining important dates in Paducah History.

(image from here)

Including…the Flood of 1937.

It really is amazing; a must see if you are ever in the area! (you just don’t want to visit right now!)

~~~

If it weren’t for those walls, Paducah would look like this:

Flood of 1937- Paducah, KY (image from kentuckyexplorer.com)

~~~

These are what the storms have looked like over the past few days, and the damage they have caused:

This is my next door neighbors’ swing set; the one our kids played on.

Water is just standing around our house.

~~~

(the following photos have been borrowed from the WPSD-TV Facebook page or my personal Facebook friends)

Storm over Murray, KY (just 12 miles south of me).

~~~

This picture is gorgeous and frightening all at once.

~~~

Scary!

~~~

I’ve never in my life seen this much hail!

~~~

This is a road!

~~~

sandbags.

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This water isn’t supposed to be here.

~~~

Uprooted trees is a common sight.

~~~

This church is less than half a mile from the church I attend! Our church is on higher ground so the flood waters hasn’t touched it.

I’m sad for the folks that this has affected. I thank God that our house is on higher ground and safe from the floods. I’m saying a prayer for everyone the storms has effected.

And we are expecting more rain any minute now.

Anything Related #46

2011-04-26T08:40:00.001-05:00

After thunderstorms, tornado warnings and losing our power last night, I’m shocked that I even have internet service this morning. More storms are expected today so I’m just gonna jump right into the party before we lose power again!

(you can grab the button code HERE)

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

What I’ve Been Up To

2011-04-25T09:13:00.001-05:00

I mentioned last week that I was painting a room…and I’m still not done. UGH! It’s taking much longer than I planned; like 5 days longer. But I NEED to get it done so I can move on to room #2, 3 and 4!

Here’s the ~~snake pit~~ Laundry room before:

It was out of control and I couldn’t stand another day of it.

Here is what it looks like right now:

I still have A LOT to do!

I’ll keep you updated but for now, I need to get busy! Come back tomorrow for Anything Related!

Anything Related #45 (Picks of the Week coming soon)

2011-04-19T08:36:00.001-05:00

First of all, I’m on Pinterest and was going to direct you to my boards but I keep getting the message “…our servers are busy. Retry after awhile” So I’ll get that to you later. Is anyone else enjoying Pinterest? Anyone not like it?

*****

And real quick…

I thought some of you might like to know about Rue La La.

They offer all kinds of daily deals from jewelry to clothes to cookware!

Well now through next Monday (4/25/2011), they are offering anyone who signs up for a (free) new account a FREE $20 credit! You can use this credit to purchase anything on their site! The deals change daily, so if you don’t see anything you like when you get your $20 credit, you’ll have until 5/25/11 to redeem it…and from what I’ve heard, you can find items for around $10 to $20 so you may be able to score a FREE item!

*This credit could take up to 48 hours to show up in your account.

*******

*I will have my favorites posted later today; sorry for the delay. I’m painting a room and it’s getting the best of me!

Alright, on with the party!

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio

Silhouette Party @ I Heart Nap Time!

2011-04-15T08:49:00.001-05:00

Have you heard? There’s a Silhouette Event at I Heart Nap Time! It starts Sunday and will last all week! With a link party, daily guest tutorials and fun giveaways, it’s bound to be a blast! Go to I Heart NapTime for all the details! I can’t wait!

Anything Related #44 and Picks of the Week!

2011-04-11T22:26:00.001-05:00

Last week was Spring Break for my kids. We didn’t get to go off anywhere because of my husband’s job but we found other things to do.

We made cake pops using the recipe from Bakerella.

They were delicious but I’m still sweeping up sprinkles!

~~~

We spent one day at the park. It was hot (92!) but there was a breeze

so it was bearable. I was able to get some good pics with my iPhone!

The Oldest, my brilliant daughter…

The Middle Child, who will try anything…

The Baby, who is no longer a baby (sniff)…

I used a free iPhone picture app called Instagram. I.LOVE.IT. It makes me happy.

As for me and the Silhouette, well, we are still working things out.

~~~

I’m in love with this Vintage Style Painted Café Sign by Lindsay @ Diary of a Crafty Lady!

Have you ever tried Broccoli Bites? Me neither…but I’m going to! Go to Let Birds Fly for the recipe!!

Okay, gals, here’s the deal. So far, everyone has done pretty good at linking up to the correct section. But last week, oh my, last week y’all were all over the place. I just ask you to please remember that there are TWO link sections: The first one is labeled like this: It is for crafts, DIY, home décor, sewing, etc.

The other, is only for recipes. Could you help me out and take notice to which section you are linking to? Pretty please? And if you realized that you linked to the wrong section, no problem! I have it set where you can delete your own link. Just re-link to the correct section. If you have problems, just send me a message and I’ll fix it .

Okay, here we go!

Anything Related is sponsored by:

Anything Related #43

2011-04-05T09:58:00.001-05:00

I’m so sorry ya’ll, I meant to get this up sooner but I got so sidetracked with the Silhouette that I totally forgot. Thanks so much to all who left me a comment on my aggravation post. I’m going to try your suggestions today!

I Need Silhouette HELP!

2011-04-04T21:21:00.001-05:00

I tried to cut out a cute little bird out of black vinyl and it was a disaster!

Do you see how the scrolly is jumbled up? It got hung in the machine! I tried 4 times! I didn’t think I was supposed to use the mat for vinyl. Am I?! Should I?! When I select “Silhouette Vinyl”, doesn’t it automatically set the settings where they need to be??! I’m so aggravated that I’ve wasted vinyl! I’m using the right blade, I double checked! Someone please help me out!

{Giveaway} Purex Complete Crystals Softener

2011-04-01T12:19:00.001-05:00

HAPPY FRIDAY! How about a fun little giveaway for the weekend?

I am a Purex Insider and they sent me a few coupons for a FREE 28 oz. bottle of Purex Complete Crystals Softener to giveaway to my followers!

WHAT IT IS > UNIQUE CRYSTAL FORM, 92% NATURAL FABRIC SOFTENER
”Introducing Purex® Complete Crystals SoftenerTM*; a purer way to get laundry that smells clean and fresh for weeks. 92% natural, this product’s unique crystal form works differently than traditional oil-based softeners that coat fabrics with oily residue, because it infuses fibers with long-lasting fragrance. In addition, since you add it directly with your laundry, this means no more waiting for the rinse cycle, no messy residual gunk in your washing machine, and no more stains from spilling liquid fabric softener.”

Purex Complete Crystals Softener is available in three fragrances: Fresh
Spring Waters, Lavender Blossom, and Tropical Splash!

Here’s how you can win a coupon for a FREE 28 oz bottle of Purex Complete Crystals Softener:

YOU HAVE UP TO 3 ENTRIES

1 entry: Which scent would you like to try first? (leave a comment)

1 entry: Like “All Thingz Related” on Facebook. (leave a comment)

1 entry: Like “Purex” on Facebook (psst! you’ll get to print a $1.00 off coupon!) (leave a comment)

This giveaway will run through Monday, April 4th and I’ll announce the winners on Tuesday!

{My Household Binder}

2011-03-29T13:05:00.001-05:00

Yes, I do realize that it’s almost April, thank you. I’m a little behind. I decided I better get my rear in gear and devote a day to the binder. Especially since Jen at iHeart Organizing is offering some terrific free printables through the end of March (which is Thursday, by the way!)

I picked up a binder, a few months ago, from the $ Tree with every intention of filling it up THAT day. Didn’t happen. Anyway, I slid the free cover page (from Jen’s site) in the front clear pocket.

I put the IN CASE OF EMERGENCY sheet in the very front of my binder (in a sheet protector) so that it would be easy for the kids to find.

{iHeart Organizing}

I picked up a few packages of Colored Tab Divider sheets at Fred’s for $.89 for each 5 pack….because I’m cheap like that.

And because I CAN’T STAND filling out the tiny pieces of paper and inserting them into the little colored tabs, just so they can fall out all over the floor, I cut down some printable labels and wrote each month on them with colorful markers.

Also included in my binder:

Finance Checklist

{iHeart Organizing}

~~~

Important Dates

{iHeart Organizing}

~~~

Important Information

{iHeart Organizing}

~~~

Auto Log

{iHeart Organizing}

~~~

Medical Information

{Clean Mama Printables Shop}

~~~

Checklist

{free @ Mommytracked.com}

And Jen posted some more free printables today, having everything to do with FOOD! I’m going to print those too!

Now all I have to do is fill everything out…wonder how long THAT will take me? Ha!

You can get your free printables from iHeart Organizing through the end of March! Don’t waste any time!

Anything Related #42 and Picks of the Week!

2011-03-28T23:42:00.001-05:00

Well the delivery man finally brought me my Silhouette yesterday afternoon! Yahoo! I still have alot to figure out!! I just hope I don’t get frustrated with it and toss it aside, ha! I tend to do that…

I’ve been searching through blogs trying to find tips, tricks and projects for the Silhouette so if you know any good ones, let me know!

~~~

I want to thank each and every one of you for coming back every week to join me for Anything Related! You all are so very creative and talented!

~~~

I think every expecting mom should receive a gift like these “lollipops” and “cupcakes” from Cute as a Fox!

Adorable!!

I have got to try to make these Soft Pretzels from While He Was Napping! (drool)

By joining the party, you are granting me permission to feature your project or recipe as the Craft or Recipe of the Week. You are also giving me the right to feature your project on our Facebook page, if I choose to.

Make sure you add the url of your specific post, not your blog in general.
No shops, please. There will be separate parties just for you!
Visit each other’s blogs, be encouraging!
Please link to the appropriate section or else you take the risk of your link being deleted. If you notice that your project/recipe has disappeared, you are welcome to re-link to the correct section. THANK YOU for understanding!

Anything Related is sponsored by:

Anything Related #41 and Picks of the Week!

2011-03-21T22:48:00.001-05:00

*VERY IMPORTANT*

I have (angrily) had to remake all of All Thingz Related buttons (but it’s okay and didn’t take long). I’d appreciate it if you would hop over to the button page and grab a new one! I am very sorry for the trouble! I’m including the Anything Related code below.

And don’t forget about the Weekly Parties page, where you can add your party or find a new one!

~~~

Hutch Makeover by Michele at The Scrap Shoppe:

Amazing job, Michele!

Mosaic Jello at Crafty Mama:

That’s just the coolest jello ever, Katy!

~~~

Make sure you add the url of your specific post, not your blog in general.
No shops, please. There will be separate parties just for you!
Visit each other’s blogs, be encouraging!
Please link to the appropriate section or else you take the risk of your link being deleted. If you notice that your project/recipe has disappeared, you are welcome to re-link to the correct section. THANK YOU for understanding!

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio

It’s Been 12 Years…

2011-03-21T09:56:00.001-05:00

Yep, my husband and I celebrated our 12th Anniversary yesterday! It was a beautiful, warm, perfect, sunny day!

Here we are on our wedding day, March 20, 1999:

(incase you’re wondering, that’s birdseed in my hair, haha)

I was 18 and he was 20 (barely). At the time we thought we were so grown up! Now, looking back, I see that we were just kids!

But….

If I had it to do over again, I would….

except….

we would have eloped. Not kidding.

So anyway, here we are today:

I think he has changed the most!

*I’m totally standing on a log in this photo because he is 6’5 and I’m 4’11….I’m a shorty.

By the way, my 7 year-old son took this picture! I think I’ve got a little photographer on my hands!

And this is what my husband ordered me:

SQUEAL!!! I was sooo shocked! (okay, I might have been expecting it a little bit since I’ve been dropping hints since Christmas.)

So here I sit, anxiously awaiting it’s arrival, jumping at every sound that could be the delivery man. Come on, you know that feeling that I’m talking about! The “I can’t sit still because I’m too excited!” feeling!!

So tell me, what is your all time favorite graphic? fav thing to make? fav vinyl color? tips? Oh I can’t wait!!

HAVE A VERY HAPPY MONDAY!

Expressions Vinyl Is Helping the Japan Disaster Relief Effort & You Can Too!

2011-03-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

Expressions Vinyl has decided to donate 100% of the profits from sales on Tuesday March 15, 2011 to the relief effort in Japan!

image from expressionsvinyl.com

Today is the day to order your vinyl and supplies for your Silhouette or Cricut! By doing so, you will be taking part in the disaster relief for Japan! How terrific is that?!

This disaster personally affects me because my first cousin, Jacob, is in the U.S. Navy and is stationed in JAPAN! Thank the Lord that he is safe but the Navy is active in helping with the relief and clean up. I can’t physically go to Japan and help with the relief so I feel like this is one way of helping.

Go to Expressions Vinyl to place your order today! Thanks a bunch!

{Anything Related #40}

2011-03-15T09:42:00.001-05:00

Welcome back to Anything Related!

Make sure you add the url of your specific post, not your blog in general.
No shops, please. There will be separate parties just for you!
Visit each other’s blogs, be encouraging!
Please link to the appropriate section or else you take the risk of your link being deleted. If you notice that your project/recipe has disappeared, you are welcome to re-link to the correct section. THANK YOU for understanding!

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

{Fabric-Covered Juice Can}

2011-03-10T07:34:00.001-06:00

The other day, I shared with you how I covered coffee cans with poster board and canvas drop cloth. This time, I used a juice can. It is the perfect size to hold my cooking utensils.

The only difference is, before I adhered the fabric to the posterboard, I used a freezer paper method to stencil on a pig silhouette. I just used regular craft paint. If this was something I was going to wash, I would have used a fabric paint or a fabric medium.

I have to say, freezer paper stenciling was so much fun and I WILL do it again. In fact, I think I’ll make 2 more of these cans, one with a rooster and one with a cow. I think they will look great grouped together!

*I printed the image directly onto freezer paper but I think that next time I will try a different method. The printer had a hard time feeding the paper through.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend! My husband and I will be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary by heading north! We’ll be going to Louisville, KY tonight the we’ll head to Cincinnati in the morning! I.can’t.wait. We haven’t had a weekend away, by ourselves, for years!! Oh and there’s an Ikea there!! YEAH!!

Happy weekend!

Anything Related #39 and Picks of the Week!

2011-03-07T23:54:00.001-06:00

Thank you all for coming back every week for Anything Related! I hope that you are visiting around and getting inspired by each others projects and recipes! You all are amazing and I, for one, am inspired every week!

*Don’t forget to look around the Weekly Parties page! You might find one that you haven’t joined yet! Or add your own!

It’s Always a Party at the Parkers: The most enchanting fairy party you’ll ever see!

WOW! A-MAZ-ING.

You have to go take a look!!

I HAVE to make these Better Than Reeses Bars at Ms Not So Perfect:

Y.U.M.

*Please read before adding your project to Anything Related*

Make sure you add the url of your specific post, not your blog in general.
No shops, please. There will be separate parties just for you!
Visit each other’s blogs, be encouraging!
Please link to the appropriate section or else you take the risk of your link being deleted. If you notice that your project/recipe has disappeared, you are welcome to re-link to the correct section. THANK YOU for understanding!

{Fabric-Covered Coffee Cans}

2011-03-07T10:25:00.001-06:00

I hate to throw coffee cans away (or anything, really). They can be so useful for other stuff. So I gave a couple of them a makeover!

I measured my cans and cut up a poster board, just a tiny bit smaller.

Then I cut fabric drop cloth ( a bit larger that the poster board) to wrap around my strips of poster board.

*You wouldn’t have to use poster board. You could just wrap the fabric around the can but I didn’t want the ridges of the can to show. I wanted a smooth appearance.

I sprayed the poster board with spray glue then wrapped my fabric around it.

I glued it around my can with hot glue.

I printed these free labels from Giver’s Log onto cardstock.

Then added a pretty paper background and I laminated them so I could write on them with a dry erase marker!

I hot glued small lengths of twine on to the can and tied on the labels through holes I punched.

I also hot glued ribbon around the edges of the plastic lids.

(ugh, the lighting is horrible in this house!)

I like them in the kitchen but I think they will be more useful in my craft room!

Have a magnificent Monday!

Just Spooling Around

2011-03-02T09:54:00.001-06:00

Do you remember the Spool of Thread Bookends that I made last June?

Well, just look at Kristine McKay’s take on spool decor!

ADORABLE!

You can watch her appearance on Studio 5 {here} where she shows you how she made them! She even provides FREE downloads! I just love Kristine! She is one talented lady! You’ll find all kinds of terrific ideas and downloads on her website!

Happy Wednesday!

~Rebekah

Anything Related #38 and Picks of the Week!

2011-03-01T10:19:00.001-06:00

Important Info! Please Read First!

I have a Shaklee sample giveaway going on through Saturday! {Enter Here}
~~Also, Christie at Polka Spot Farm won the Clean Mama Printables Giveaway but I haven’t heard from you yet. Please contact me by tonight or I’ll have to pick a new winner =0(~~
I have a Weekly Parties page where you can find blog parties for everyday of the week! If you host a weekly party on your blog, I’d love for you to add it to the Weekly Parties page!
If you are interested in sponsoring a giveaway on All Thingz Related, please contact Rebekah.

~~~

I love these coasters from Creations Fom My Heart

Chicken Enchiladas at Calico and Cupcakes!

YUM!

~~~

*Please read before adding your project to Anything Related*

Make sure you add the url of your specific post, not your blog in general.
No shops, please. There will be separate parties just for you!
Visit each other’s blogs, be encouraging!
Please link to the appropriate section or else you take the risk of your link being deleted. If you notice that your project/recipe has disappeared, you are welcome to re-link to the correct section. THANK YOU for understanding!

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

A Shaklee Sample Giveaway!

2011-02-28T13:06:00.001-06:00

Most of you have heard of Shaklee, right?

It was the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral™ certification and totally offset their CO₂ emissions, resulting in a net zero impact on the environment!

Shaklee’s cleaning line is nontoxic and natural, meaning all products are 100% safe to use!

Does that get your attention?!

I would like you to meet Alexandra, an Independent Distributor for Shaklee! Here’s what she has to say about the company.

“I, myself, won a giveaway sample of the Basic H2 and instantly fell in love! I loved that there were no fumes or fragrance! I cloth diaper my son and I hated having to clean his diaper pail every time I washed diapers. The mixture of the diaper smell and the cleaners I was using gave me such horrible headaches, and i was using “green” products. The first time I used the Basic H2, I noticed a difference, no more headaches! On top of that, I really noticed a difference in the smell. the Basic H2 did such a great job!

After I joined Shaklee as a distributor and tried more of the products, my love for them kept growing. I used the Scour Off Heavy Duty paste on my oven and it was heavenly! Seriously, HEAVENLY! Who can say that about cleaning their oven?

*images from Alexandra’s blog, Crafting With My Cub

“There were no harsh fumes, I didn’t have to wear gloves or a mask, and I felt safe doing it while my son was running around the house.”

Alexandra sent me a sample of Basic H2 to try out for myself!

Now don’t be concerned about the word “sample” because this tiny amount is enough to make a 16 oz. bottle of all-purpose cleaner AND a 16 oz. bottle of glass cleaner!

I mixed up a bottle and got to work.

Now here’s the part where I show you something that’s horribly embarrassing…my tub. (could be worse. I could have showed you the toilet.)

eeew. People, listen to me. Don’t EVER put a brown tub, toilet or sink in your bathroom. EVER. They show everything. Especially soap scum.

I sprayed the solution on and let it sit for a couple minutes. Then I started scrubbing. You can see below where I cleaned and where I didn’t.

I can not believe how grimy my tub was. It’s not that I didn’t clean it. It’s just that nothing I used would cut through the years of soap scum and chemicals! Because there is so much build up on my tub, I’m going to have to buy a good scrubbing sponge to finish cleaning the rest of it but Basic H2 DOES take it off!! I’m so impressed!

Oh and guess where my son was while I was using the Basic H2.

Yep. Sitting right beside me. And I didn’t care because Basic H2 is 100% SAFE!! It doesn’t even have an odor AT ALL!

I love that! No more chemical headaches!

On to the floors. I poured the solution into my Libman mop.

dirty floor…

Everything I used before on my floors left streaks. Even vinegar. I’m happy to confirm that my floors are STREAK-FREE! (I know it’s hard to tell in the pictures so just trust me)

I’m very impressed!

Alexandra wants to send a sample of Basic H2 to one of you to try! (US only) Remember, that makes two 16oz. bottles of cleaner!

It’s simple to enter:

REQUIRED: Visit Alexandra’s Shaklee site, come back here and leave comment letting me know what other products interest you!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Become a follower of Alexandra’s blog, Crafting With My Cub, come back and leave me a comment
{Like} Safe and Natural Living on Facebook, come back and leave me another comment

Make sure you leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner!!!

Open to U.S. residents. Giveaway will end on Saturday, March 5th at 11 p.m. central time.

Good luck and happy cleaning!

The opinion of Basic H2 is 100% my own. I really do love it.

~Rebekah

Winner: Clean Mama Printables!

2011-02-28T09:14:00.001-06:00

Comment #37 is Christi at Polka Spot Farm! Congratulations, Christi! Please contact me with your email address!

Remember to shop Clean Mama Printables for all your printable needs!

~Rebekah

Clean Mama Printables Giveaway!

2011-02-23T08:01:00.001-06:00

Clean Mama Printables is an Etsy shop started by work-at-home mom, Becky that keeps it "all" together with a cup of strong coffee and a checklist. She's a former art teacher with a flair for graphic design. After making her own personal printables for years, she decided to open up an Etsy shop last March to showcase a different type of printable. Her printables focus on homekeeping, organizing and all things clean! Buy them to organize your life and make things a little bit simpler (and cuter)!

I printed the Monthly Deep Cleaning Schedule, The Food Inventory List and the Menu planner and trimmed them down. I adhered them to scrapbook paper and then laminated them!

I put the Menu Planner on my fridge…

and the other two will go inside my pantry on the door! I can write on them with a dry erase marker and they will be used over and over again!

Becky is offering 20% off through this week to All Thingz Related readers - just enter the code '20ATR' at checkout!

So what will you buy?! Becky has put together Kits to make everyday tasks a little more fun:

The Busy Mama Homekeeping Kit (19 documents), is a complete kit to keep your homekeeping manageable and on-track. The Busy Mama Kit is designed in fun fonts and colors and is meant to be used month after month, year after year. It has documents that every homekeeping binder needs - a variety of lists, perpetual calendars, a deep cleaning checklist, a medical information sheet, daily and weekly planner pages...

The Cleaning Kit (her bestseller), lists a combination of all the tasks that should be done in homes in an attractive, easy to use format that will work beautifully for you and your busy family. The lists are designed to be used together - one for rotating tasks to do year round and one for weekly tasks.

The Organized Kitchen Label Kit is 11 documents in an easy to use, print and label format - the ideas are endless. Get ready to label your entire kitchen - canisters, spice jars, dry storage containers - and with plenty blank labels, you can label other things in your home as well. You can print the labels on clear label sheets, vinyl, white sticker paper, colored paper, printed scrapbook paper......

The Everything Kit bundles 4 of her best-selling kits (32 documents) - The Busy Mama Kit, The Cleaning Kit, The Vertical Weekly Docket, The Meal Planning Kit, and the Christmas Planning Kit (the Christmas Planning Kit can be switched out for any other kit with 5 or less documents). This kit is perfect for someone just getting a homekeeping notebook started.

One of Becky's newest printables is The Resolution Kit. This kit helps you start the New Year off right and tackle your resolutions once and for all. The Resolution Kit bundles three separate kits together - The Cleaning Kit, The Bill Pay and Budget Kit and the Weight Loss and Fitness Kit. Try this attractive and simple method of tracking your bills and payments, cleaning and housekeeping and fitness to stay on track.

Want to create your own kit? Choose the Pick 2 Kit or the Pick 3 Kit - you get to choose your own 2 or 3 kits to create your own personalized bundle - and get a little discount while you're at it!

In addition to the printable kits, she also carries individual documents. All printables are in PDF file format so once your order is finalized, you can print the digital files as many times as you like for your own personal use. Becky can create a document just for you - she loves special orders, so if you have something in mind but don't see it, just ask!

And guess what?!

Clean Mama Printables is giving away a $50 Gift Certificate to one All Thingz Related follower! (so make sure you are a follower!)

REQUIRED ENTRY: Visit the Clean Mama Printables Etsy Shop, come back here and leave me a comment stating what printables would best suit your lifestyle!

ONE EXTRA ENTRY: Follow the Clean Mama blog- where Becky blogs about all things clean and organized and other homey things in between! Come back here and let me know!

This giveaway will end on Sunday night, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. central.

Good luck and happy organizing!

~Rebekah

50% 0ff Home Decor at the Dollar General!

2011-02-22T14:58:00.001-06:00

I usually don’t write about my shopping trips and bargains however this deal I just had to share!

The Dollar General Store has released a coupon for 50% off your entire purchase of ALL Home Decor, Housewares, Kitchen, Bed Pillows, Sheets, & Rugs! That is an amazing coupon so I HAD to check it out! Here’s what I purchased:

The tall glass jars were $3.50 and the small ones were $2.00 plus HALF off!!

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The large LINED baskets were $8.00, the medium was $6.00 and the small was $4.00…plus HALF OFF!

I also bought a few heat-resistant kitchen utensils for $.50 a piece and the Allergy Relief pillow cost me $3.00!

My total was $46.00 – 50% = $23.00!!! I’m thrilled!! I may print another coupon and go back for a lamp and a few picture frames!

Go here to print your own 50% off coupon! (coupon expires Sunday, Feb. 27th!)

~Rebekah

Anything Related #37 and Picks of the Week!

2011-02-22T08:56:00.001-06:00

Hey everybody! I’m so glad you are here for Anything Related!

REMINDER: If you have a weekly party on your blog please feel free to add it to my list of blog parties {here}!

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Here are my top 2 favorites from last week!

I adore these Rice-Filled Heating Pads for Children made by Suzanne over at Just Another Hang Up! They are adorable!!

This Almost Homemade Lemon Cake from Cozy Home Scenes makes me think of summer! (of which I’m ready for, by the way)

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Come back tomorrow for a terrific giveaway!

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*Please read before adding your project to Anything Related*

Make sure you add the url of your specific post, not your blog in general.
No shops, please. There will be separate parties just for you!
Visit each other’s blogs, be encouraging!
Please link to the appropriate section or else you take the risk of your link being deleted. If you notice that your project/recipe has disappeared, you are welcome to re-link to the correct section. THANK YOU for understanding!

Anything Related is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

Shabby Apple WINNER!

2011-02-21T11:27:00.001-06:00

#155 is:

KATIE (CarolinaKate02)

Congratulations, Katie! I have emailed you!

Thanks to all who entered! I have another giveaway coming up this week that you won’t want to miss!

~Rebekah

Favorite Thingz from Anything Related

2011-02-18T07:51:00.001-06:00

I announced yesterday that there is a new page, here on All Thingz Related! It’s the Weekly Parties page!

If you host a party every week (or month) on your blog, please head over to the new page and add your blog to the appropriate day! I just love a good party!

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YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO LINK YOUR PROJECTS AND RECIPES!

Take a look and these great projects and recipes from Anything Related! And it would be so terrific if you would hop over and visit those who were featured and leave them an awesome comment! Thank ya!

UPDATE: Here’s a button for those who’ve been featured!

Barefoot Blueberry: Chair Makeover

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The Sassy Pepper: Mod Podge Furniture

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junkrestore: Pigeon Cage Coffee Table

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Nest Nesting Nested: Framed Plate Display

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Cleverly Inspired: Candleholder Revamp

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Art Chick Studio: Cherish Altered Heart

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Homework: Braid & Bun Yarn Wreath

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Creations By Kara: Monogram with paper flowers

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Diary of a Crafty Lady: Pennant Ruffle Banner

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Paisley Passions: Menu Board

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Morgan Made It: Blooms From Paper Cups

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Atelier Caroline: Anthro Inspired Handbag

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Welcome To The Good Life: Little Girls’ Tulle Skirt

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little raindrops: Chocolate Covered Cherries (she used my recipe here!! Melissa, you’re awesome!)

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Mrs. Bettie Rocker: Sugar Cookie Truffles

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Inside BruCrew Life: Cake-Filled Cookie Hearts

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Peas and Crayons: Black Bean Dip

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I’m A Mom, Not A Professional: Sweet Potato Bread

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Crafts & Crap: Bacon Cheddar Waffles

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I will be sharing the Craft of the Week and the Recipe of the Week NEXT Tuesday before the Anything Related Party!

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I know I sound like a broken record but….

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! I don’t want anyone to miss out!!

Ya’ll have a FABULOUS weekend and I’ll be back on Monday to announce the winner!

~Rebekah

Weekly Party Roundup

2011-02-17T11:42:00.001-06:00

LET’S PARTY!

Do you host a weekly party on your blog? I would love it if you would link your blog to our Weekly Parties! page. It’s always great to find a new party to join! Click here for the party page and link your blog to the appropriate day! Thanks so much!

~Rebekah

{Anything Related #36}

2011-02-15T08:25:00.001-06:00

Thanks for stopping by for Anything Related! I’m anxious to see all your fantastic projects of the week! But first…

Have you entered the Shabby Apple Giveaway? Go! Go! Go!

I shared my Chocolate Covered Cherries recipe yesterday! They were soooo good!! Go {here} for the recipe!!

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*Please read before adding your project to Anything Related*

Make sure you add the url of your specific post, not your blog in general.
No shops, please. There will be separate parties just for you!
Please link to the appropriate section or else you take the risk of your link being deleted. If you notice that your project/recipe has disappeared, you are welcome to re-link to the correct section. THANK YOU for understanding!

*This post is sponsored by Art Chick Studio.

Choosing a Desk

2011-02-14T22:07:00.001-06:00

I’ve been thinking about purchasing a desk. I’ve looked around CSN Stores where they a have a huge variety of computer desks for home. And of course I have my favorites!

Axess Small Desk in Chocolate

Stanford 48" W Computer Desk

Harbor View Computer Desk with Hutch

Bella Desk in Antique Black

How about you? What are you using for a desk? Is it working for you?

~Rebekah

{Chocolate Covered Cherries} for my Sweetheart

2011-02-14T13:01:00.001-06:00

I have made my husband Chocolate Covered Cherries for the past several years for Valentine’s Day. They are one of his favorite treats (other than Turtle Cake, which I make him for his birthday)! They are really easy to make and taste better than any store bought. Here’s what you’ll need:

10 oz. jar of Maraschino Cherries with stems

1/4 cup of the juice from the cherries

4 Tbls. of softened butter

4 cups of powedered sugar

2 cups of chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)

Drain the cherries,

reserving the juice.

Lay the cherries on a paper towel to further drain.

To make the filling, cream the butter in the mixer that your husband bought you for your 5th anniversary….oh, uh, I mean the one mine bought for me…

He really is amazing….ANYWAY…cream the butter,

and add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time and alternating with cherry juice.

If your filling is crumbly, you’ll need more juice. If your filling is creamy, you’ll need more powdered sugar. Your end result should be very stiff.

Now stick it in the fridge for about 10 minutes and give a beater to your anxious 3 year-old while you lick the other one.

Now take the filling out of the fridge and scoop out about a teaspoon of filling. It may take more, or less, depending on the size of each cherry.

Now here is where it is going to get a bit messy. Flatten out your ball of filling and wrap it around the cherry.

**It’s nice to have a sink full of soapy warm water to rinse your fingertips in every now and then.

** If your filling gets too soft to work with (and it probably will) just stick it back in the fridge for a few minutes.

Place the cherry on a wax paper-lined baking sheet.

When you have finished wrapping the cherries in filling, place them in the fridge for several minutes.

The colder the better because when you dip them in the hot, melted chocolate, you want them to hold their shape, not melt all over the place.

In the meantime, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Cook for about 30 seconds, stir,

cook for 30 seconds more, stir…

continue until fully melted. Be very careful not to burn your chocolate!

Dip each cherry in the chocolate, with the help of a spoon or fork.

**You’ll need to be quick!

1. You don’t want the chocolate to get too thick.

2. You don’t want the filling to be too soft!

Stick each covered cherry on a clean sheet of wax paper.

When you’ve finished dipping, place the baking sheet back into the fridge to allow the chocolate to set up.

You will know that they are ready when they peel right off the paper.

Because my husband is very supportive of my blog, he will completely understand why I had to sacrifice one of his Chocolate Covered Cherries so that you can see the inside!

Be careful not to eat them all before giving them to the intended recipient! Place any survivors into a pretty container.

This recipe makes about 24 HUGE Chocolate Covered Cherries! (store in the refrigerator) Enjoy!

~Rebekah

Don’t forget to enter the Shabby Apple Dress giveaway!

A Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2011-02-11T11:50:00.001-06:00

I am thrilled to introduce to you an online vintage dress boutique called Shabby Apple!

Shabby Apple is an online boutique selling lovely, stylish, women’s dresses!

Black Oak

Cider

Ponderosa

What I really love about the Shabby Apple site (besides all the amazing styles) is the Fit to Flatter feature!

Answer 3 simple questions, you are then told your body type and shown what styles would look best on your figure! How cool is that?!

I’m a pencil. (haha). Here are a few styles for my body type:

Scarlett Raven

Ferris Wheel

Consultant

WIN IT!

One very lucky All Thingz Related reader is going to win the Tuxedo III women’s dress from Shabby Apple {squeal!} Isn’t it gorgeous?!

How to enter:

REQUIRED ENTRY:

Take a little trip over to the Shabby Apple boutique, pick your favorite DRESS, then come back to this post and tell me what it is!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. {LIKE} Shabby Apple on Facebook, come back here and tell me you did so!

2. Become a follower of All Thingz Related. Tell me if you are!

3. {LIKE} All Thingz Related on Facebook, come back here and tell me you did so!

That is 4 possible entries to win this fabulous dress!

You will have until Sunday, February 20th to enter the giveaway. I will announce the winner the following Monday.

BUY IT!

Shabby Apple is giving All Thingz Related followers 10% off your purchase using coupon code allthingzrelated10off !! Yayeah!

Good luck and enjoy!!

~Rebekah

All Thingz Related

WINNER of the Shabby Apple Dress!

A Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!

A Little Update!

You’re Probably Wondering What’s Going On

Winner of UPrinting Labels!

UPrinting Label Giveaway!

Anything Related #62!

Anything Related No. 61!

Anything Related #60!

Anything Related #59!

Anything Related #58

Billboard-Worthy Wednesday!

Anything Related #57

Today is My Birthday and a UPrinting Giveaway!

Faux-Leather Topped Desk {Step 2}

Faux-Leather Topped Desk {Step 1}

Billboard-Worthy Wednesday: Projects from Anything Related!

Anything Related #56 and I Changed My Mind…

E-Mealz GIVEAWAY!!

REGULAR FAMILY MEAL PLANS (SERVES 7 MEALS FOR 4-6 PEOPLE)

REGULAR MEAL PLANS FOR TWO (SERVES 5 MEALS FOR 1-2 PEOPLE)

SPECIALTY FAMILY MEAL PLANS (SERVES 7 MEALS FOR 4-6 PEOPLE)

SPECIALTY MEAL PLANS FOR TWO (SERVES 5 MEALS FOR 1-2 PEOPLE)

Anything Related No. 55

{Hand-Stamped Charms}

I Need Vacation Help!

Anything Related No. 54!

FREE* 8x10 Canvas at The Canvas People!

Anything Related No.53!

My Shabby Apple Dress Review!!

Will Return Next Week

Anything Related #52

Anything Related #51

A Chunky Bling Review and GIVEAWAY!

Anything Related #50 (I forgot)

{My Love For Binders} and Link Up Your Own!

Anything Related #49!

{Giveaway} FRESCHETTA Simply... Inspired Pizza and Bamboo Cutting Board!

My New Mailbox! {Silhouette Project}

Anything Related #48 and Picks of the Week

Anything Related #47 and I’m Sick of the Rain

State of Emergency: Flood 2011

Anything Related #46

What I’ve Been Up To

Anything Related #45 (Picks of the Week coming soon)

Silhouette Party @ I Heart Nap Time!

Anything Related #44 and Picks of the Week!

Anything Related #43

I Need Silhouette HELP!

{Giveaway} Purex Complete Crystals Softener

{My Household Binder}

Anything Related #42 and Picks of the Week!

Anything Related #41 and Picks of the Week!

It’s Been 12 Years…

Expressions Vinyl Is Helping the Japan Disaster Relief Effort & You Can Too!

{Anything Related #40}

{Fabric-Covered Juice Can}

Anything Related #39 and Picks of the Week!

{Fabric-Covered Coffee Cans}

Just Spooling Around

Anything Related #38 and Picks of the Week!

A Shaklee Sample Giveaway!

Winner: Clean Mama Printables!

Clean Mama Printables Giveaway!

50% 0ff Home Decor at the Dollar General!

Anything Related #37 and Picks of the Week!

Shabby Apple WINNER!

Favorite Thingz from Anything Related

Weekly Party Roundup

{Anything Related #36}

Choosing a Desk

{Chocolate Covered Cherries} for my Sweetheart

A Shabby Apple Giveaway!